April 8, 2013: It is well with my soul

Growing up, our church sang many older hymns. Being raised in the church, hearing these songs month in and month out, they grew repetitive-even tiresome. Now though, I crave these humble hymns, I desire to know what was happening in the song writer's lives to inspire such deep and precious words. I'd like to share the story of what I learned today: 

Horatio Spaford was born in 1828. He became a wealthy realtor in Chicago and was happily married with 5 children. Life was good, easy, peaceful. Then a massive fire broke out in Chicago, causing him to lose most all of his wealth. Not long after, his only son was tragically killed, of course they were heart broken. So, he decided to send his wife home to England for time to heal. He kissed his wife and 4 daughters goodbye and watched as they set sail. He was going to follow a bit later. As the ship grew close to Wales, being seen from the shore, it tragically sank; his wife was the only survivor of the family. She sent a short wire to Horatio, it read, "saved ALONE." At that moment he knew, all of his daughters were gone, he immediately set sail after his wife. Upon the the sight of Wales, he asked the captain if they had reached the spot where his daughters died. The captain agreed that they were at the spot. He broke out a pen and pad as the waves moved up and down,  he wrote "When peace like a river attendeth  my way or when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot thou has taught me to say: it is well with my soul." 

Man-oh-Man, his sorrows were so massive, but he managed to think "whatever you-God, allow me to endure in this life-it is well with my soul." I will forever sing this song with  grateful heart and a new passion...I have a love for Horatio Spaford, and am excited to one day hug him and his wife in heaven.